Customer Reviews

Earth Versus Wildhearts

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I thought i'd do the American reviewing public a favour. I'm English and the Wildhearts are my absolute most favourite band, i have almost everything associated with them (to get everything it seems you need to live in japan!), so i thought i'd review their arguably best album to help out those who missed them.
The Wildhearts embody everything good about quality Rock music. Catchy to the point of 'can't get it out of you head', heavy to the point of 'that riff makes me wanna smash stuff' and just fun to the point where you will sing and jump down the street not caring what people think.
This Album is the key one. Before it they had less production, less power and less oomph. After it they got heavier and more messed up as drugs and fall outs took their toll. From the opening riff of "Greetings From S***sville" you get the whole point of the album, an overarching lust to just plug in and rock your world. The reissued version contains another essential Wildhearts song in the 120mph "Caffine Bomb". The album just oozes positivity and speed freak power.
"News Of The World" is about a sunday paper in Britian, and it drags you in with a catchy vocal before powerhousing a riff that wouldn't be out of place on a Metallica album for it's finale. This album is perfect. Equal parts fun and heavy. Before Ginger's dying scream in "Love U Till I Don't" and the thumping riff armada that follows it sets in you'll wish all rock music was this good.
Now fully reformed with the "Earth Vs" lineup and about to enter the studio for a new album things look good in planet rock. Bombard radio stations and demand record companies release the new album over there in the U.S.A cos we've suffered the anguish of losing them once, don't let it happen again. Grasp rocks greatest creators by the sweaty hands now and plug in, play loud and enjoy music.

'Earth Vs The Wildhearts', though it didn't exactly set the charts alight, is one of rock's great lost albums. Released slap bang in the middle of the grunge era, the debut set from the Wildhearts stood out from the coffee-drinking, lumberjack-wearing, lank-haired miseries of the day. 'Earth Vs The Wildhearts' fuses irresistable pop melodies with big rock riffs to amazing effect. Ginger established himself as a formidable songwriter on this record and listening to tracks such as 'Loves***', 'TV Tan' and 'The Miles Away Girl', it's not hard to see why. And, for pure rock mayhem, get a load of the double whammy that is 'My Baby Is A Headf***' (featuring the late, great David Bowie guitarist Mick Ronson) and the Motorhead song that never was, 'Suckerpunch'. There's something for everyone on this album, not just for the headbanging contingent. A rocking pop treat which owes just as much to the Beach Boys and Beatles, as it does to Metallica and Guns N' Roses.

This is one of the top 5 records of the 90's hands down. If you don't own this, it is not your fault. The only reason anyone here in the states knows of this band is word of mouth. Lack of promotion and absolutely no airplay destined this to the used CD bins. What a shame but everyone I know that owns this has picked it up second hand. The music has some great crunching guitars, blitzkrieging drums, smart and cynical lyrics and harmony vocals to make you realize that a band does exist that care about product and the music they produce. the harmony vocals remind a little of The Beatles but the guitars and beat are just so strong. Every song here is a winner. It is a shame American radio can't bring us this kind of stuff. Clear channel won't play this and Now they are American FM radio. The language maybe a little strong but if G 'n' R and Metallica hasn't damaged you with their language, you will be fine. Look at the song titles and then you will realize this is no ordinary band. You will play this for years to come. Check out their new stuff as well. No need to thank me, you are welcome!

When the decade is all said-and-done "The Wildharts" will be looked back on by the cognoscenti of popular music (chiefly music critics and some acutely knowledgable fans) as the Waterboys of the 90's. At least, that's how they will be looked back upon by the lucky few in America who actually got to hear any of their recordings. Up until they broke-up in '97, they were exalted to an apotheosis in Western Europe by press and fans alike. A stark contrast to the amount of attention they recieved in the States. If there was one foreign import that deserved American audience's ears, it had to be The Wildharts. Considerably less quixotic than fellow Brits Terrorvision. Miles more interesting than Oasis or the rediculous grating German wall-of-noise Rammstein. But they didn't blow it, MTV and popular (American) radio did.

I saw the 15th Anniversary concert at the Mercury Lounge in New York City this last Sunday and hearing Earth vs. The Wildhearts performed live further reinforced what a great album this is, was and will always be. I love this band, loved this concert and appreciate every day that I get the chance to listen to the music of the Wildhearts or Ginger in any of his many incarnations. The music is raw and polished, it rocks from start to finish, meanders at points but pays off in the end, makes you laugh and think. I would never make comparisons, but it has the kind of edginess that Guns n' Roses first album had, the kind of energy the first Ramones record had and the lyrical/melodic style of bands that had been around for years. I recommend you see this band live; it is rare that they play in the States, but make the trip. Buy the records, all of them you can get, trust me a bad Wildhearts CD is better than most bands. After you are hooked on this band, spread the word, let everyone know and maybe after 15 years make this band an overnight sensation.

1993- The Wildhearts release this debut album, an album full of great riffs that still doesn't quite seem like metal in the way that Zeppelin don't, with the best songwriting for years, with influences as wide as the Beatles, the Beach Boys and Sepultura.

1994- Oasis release their debut album, an album with two OK riffs that sets back British indie music years,with the most painfully stupid lyrics since 'ice,ice baby', with influences as wide as the Beatles and a crap Beatles tribute band.

1999- One has become the biggest British band in the world, the other...hasn't.

Probably a good argument against democracy...

Yes, I know that it's long overdue, but I had to add to the accolades for this incredible album. I've been a Wildhearts fan for over ten years now, and this is one of their best. The songs are all extremely well-written blasts of sonic pleasure that somehow merge the best of metal, punk, rock and pop together for an amazing sound unlike any other band - then or now. Melodic, even sing-along tunes, that all possess tight harmonies and rhythms.

I won't bore anyone with my subjective take on the individual songs, but I have to say that if you're into melodic metal, with a heavy dose of punk and power pop, then you owe it to yourself to get this album. It's that good.

Earth Vs. The Wildhearts is a hard rock gem. The songs have anger and humor and seem to remain very catchy.

I was going through some old CDs that I had stashed away for a while and came across this one. I played it and I have to say it's been in constatnt rotation in my car CD player for weeks! If you like Sex Pistols, George Therogood, The Ramones, Guns and Roses then you must get a hold of this CD somehow which I think is now out of print.

words cannot describe this piece of round plastic and how it has changed the way I look at music. Just buy it and see what i mean.